How do I network two computers?

Question

I am trying to network two computers... Both are Compaqs... One has XP and the other has '98... I am planning to use an ethernet cable... How do I do it? And could I just directly network them (meaning no router involved)?

I am not doing it fo internet... I am doing it so me and my little brother can play a game against each other mainly... And there are files I need to get off of his computer...

Answer 1

You can but you will need a hub and two ethernet cables or a rollover ethernet cable. You will need to assign ip addresses to the nics along with a suitable subnet mask. You will need to put pc's in the same workgroup and enable file and printer sharing.

Answer 2

easy way out, the xp probably comes with the network adapter, the 98 will need one, and you need a crossover cable, which does the work of the router...... then just run the network setup wizard on the xp, and then copy the wizard to a floppy at the end of the wizard. Then run it again on the 98 using the floppy, because it isn't on the 98 version. the only thing you have to be sure of is that they both have the same workgroup names but different coputer names....... they should auto-obtain ip's so that shouldn't be a problem.............. the only problem is with som videogames you may need to install the ipx protocol to play over the network....... and sometimes if you have it set to share internet connection it will ask you to connect whenever there isn't a connetion.............

Answer 3

You should be able to simply connect them using an ethernet cable. Assign them both the same workgroup name, and name each computer. Make sure the file and print sharing protocol is enabled for the connection, on each computer. Then try the Network Setup Wizard on Windows XP; it never succeeds for my network and it usually requires copying itself to a floppy disk, but it may work for a simpler one.

Answer 4

you will need a cat 5 CROSSOVER cable. this will allow you to directly connect the two computers. when that's done, on the xp machine, run the networking wizard and when it's done, make a disk and run that in the win 98 machine

Answer 5

You need a cross over ethernet cable and both should have Ethernet cards
1. Connect both the computers with the cables
2. For the first computer set the
IP Address.......... 192.168.18.1
Subnet Mask....... 255.255.255.0
3. For the second computer
IP Address -------->192.168.18.2
Subnet Mask------->255.255.255.0
Default Gateway--->192.168.18.1
Leave the default gateway for the first computer blank. restart botht the computers. Thats it.